Medical CET hits roadblock

Notwithstanding the green signal from the Supreme Court, the common entrance test for the MBBS course proposed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) has hit another roadblock.

The council may not be able to conduct the test from the current academic year due to time constraints.

Sources in the Health Ministry told Deccan Herald that it would not be possible for the MCI to undertake the gigantic exercise considering the time available at its disposal.

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have already gone ahead with their own pre-medical tests and Tamil Nadu has not accepted this National Eligibility  Entrance Test (NEET).

For the rest, there is hardly any time left in 2011 to finalise the syllabus, zeroing on an agency to conduct the test and undertaking the exercise.

Though the MCI initially had discussions with the Central Board of Secondary Education to conduct the examination, the MCI did not finalise the contracts, sources said. As per the MCI proposal, the NEET will lead to an all-India merit list as well as state-wise merit list of the eligible candidates. Admissions must be done only on the basis of the merit list. Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, member of MCI’s Executive Council, said a final decision to hold the examination will be taken on Wednesday.

“It might be a little too late to hold the examination this year. A final decision will be taken after consulting  the  Centre,” he added.